My first set began when I was 8 yrs. old and grew substantially and I was proud of what I had and one day the unthinkable, after 24 yrs. of collecting my set was stolen.

I still remember walking down the old dirt road in Oklahoma while visiting my aunt. I found what said was 1 cent but I had never seen anything like it and at 8 yrs. of age I was able to learn about the indian head penny. That day a collector was born. I started looking at everything. Soon I had wheats and silver quarters, dimes and even the buffalo nickel in the change was soon added to my "collection". Family and friends alike were aware of my passion and soon I was getting Christmas and Birthday presents that may be a peace dollar, walking liberty or something worth a few bucks. Being half Mexican my set soon included a vast amount of olympic, cien peso and many other silver coins, also. I remember my first gold coin was in the olympic set with a silver dollar and $5 gold. That was a great day for me, thanks mom. I eventually had a huge photo album filled with numerous pages of plastic sheets with 2x2 cards starting from cents to dollars from U.S. to every other country I had acquired and a small key safe filled with proof sets etc. I don't think it ever was worth much but I had been adding to that set for 24 yrs. when it was stolen. Coins I had acquired from deceased family members to my first indian penny lost in the blink of an eye. I thought I would never collect another coin. It wasn't long when I had someone come by and sell me a collection they inherited that had complete whitman books, flying eagle, wheats, mercury dimes, buffalo nickels, yes complete sets!!! A gallon bag filled with loose walking liberty's, mercury's, buffalo's, morgan's, peace, you name it. I bought the set at 2x it's face value. What a deal!! My new collection was born. Now at 42 yrs. I have the #1 registry set in PCGS for MS Silver Eagles, I hold that spot alone. I also share #1 spot in other categories and I have now done what I had only previously dreamed of during my first 25 years of collecting. Besides what you see here in NGC some of my best stuff is only registered with PCGS. Other than just wanting to share what is truly a tragic story that seems to have turned itself around, I guess I want to give hope to all my fellow collectors that no matter what, never give up on what has to be the world's best hobby. I can't believe the thought of quiting ever crossed my mind.